WELCOME TO THE PLANET

BIG BIG TRAIN is the singular group that I knew later on, not knowing where to place them, at a time when I was lacking the voice of Peter GABRIEL; in short a group stamped english group with a lot of sizes as musicians. Album in two parts, here we go:

'Made from Sunshine' bucolic, playful, in an English style with choirs, trumpet, the BBT style for the moment without too much particularity. 'The Connection Plan' with nervous violin, phrasing and jerky voice depending on the tune. 'Lanterna' where David puts his voice forward, the shadow of the archangel is very present here and brings me back to my first listening to this very singular group, navigating between pop, prog and rock, merging GENESIS with Roine STOLT and musical ideas from XTC, the creative Anglican melting pot quietly. 'Capitoline Venus' for short label Charisma melody as interlude. 'A Room with No Ceiling' for the instrumental jewel, open drawers which lead with accordion on green valleys, limit bossa nova, then decreasing return.

The 2nd part leaves with 'Proper Jack Froster' and David in front, I find there bucolic sounds of the XTC, innovation going on folk, jazz with the trumpet contribution and this bewitching voice which plunges back decades into rear of the 'Foxtrot' era; Clare comes with violin and vocal to give a touch of sensitivity, of emotion before a sublime solo in depth, the notes unfold on an aerial choir. 'Bats in the Belfry' jazzy-prog rock instrumental, bass, synth and front pads; cinematic air on a BOF by James BOND it's catchy, crystalline organ break it's like being in heaven, a little laser and Nick puts his all into it in a breathtaking finale; the title of the album. 'Oak and Stone' for David's jazzy piano and vocal ballad; the Genesis end for the instrumentation and ethereal vocals 'Welcome to the Planet' and the return of Clare on a title where the trumpet brings sensitivity and solemnity, the flute amplifying; a soaring, latent break with Clare who leaves on the voice of Sarah BROWN during her performance on PINK FLOYD, a final in fireworks and the 2nd title of the bluffing and innovative album.

A strange disc with a beginning without much particularity, neutral sensitivity, without extra... then it takes off over the titles, especially from the second part and we arrive amazed at the end of the album. The problem, David's flight to the real skies is just unthinkable given his always perfect performance; speechless, I ask myself the question of the continuation of the group, in short live the present moment for the moment.